Ktm 690 Smc R Review
"An absolute weapon that rewards diligent buyers and destroys lazy ones."
Used Buyer Review
The 690 SMC R is genuinely one of the most addictive motorcycles you can buy used, but go in with your eyes open. That 690 Duke single is an absolute riot — torquey, responsive, and sounds properly angry — but it needs maintenance done on schedule or it'll bite you hard. Check the valve clearances have been done (every 15,000km), and walk away from anything that sounds rattly at idle. The WP suspension is excellent if it's been serviced, completely soggy and vague if it hasn't. On the used market, watch for crash damage religiously — these things get flogged through parking lots and industrial estates by riders who think they're Marko Jerman. Footpeg hangers, subframes, and bodywork tell the story. Pre-2019 models had some fuel pump gremlins, so budget for that. The 2019 onwards refresh sorted most issues and added supermoto ABS, which is actually useful rather than intrusive. Buy one in good nick and you'll grin every single ride. Buy a neglected one and you'll fund KTM's parts department single-handedly.
Pros
Cons
You skip services or hate vibrating handlebars
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